Valerius De Saedeleer

When Valerius De Saedeleer settled in Sint-Martens-Latem in 1898, he was a young artist unsure of the direction of his painting. While the landscapes he painted in the style of his mentor Frans Courtens were commendable with their loosely brushed impressionistic strokes, De Saedeleer sought something different, something personal. In Sint-Martens-Latem, surrounded by artists like sculptor George Minne and painter Gustave Van de Woestyne, he found inspiration in the untouched nature, diverse landscapes, and the simple, affordable life.

This exhibition delves into Valerius De Saedeleer’s approach to his work. Despite painting a limited number of landscapes, each one was approached differently: like a photographer, he zoomed in or out, changed focus points, played with lighting effects, or depicted seasonal changes. He also added or removed elements from the composition, such as trees or cottages.

The aim of this selection of paintings is to demonstrate the contemporary value and significance of De Saedeleer’s work. His technique, still used by artists today, deserves a special place in art history.